, 1887-02-11

OsneT began 70 CHhl anu ihlil iNiSA'b'h
IN n manner that was the admiration Of
the junior bar, the two lords justices and,
not least Of all, OF the master Of the rolls
himself. A: length Twistleton, on expa-
tiating on the merits of Buncombe's sew
ing machine, alluded to 1t AS n typewriter.
Whercupon Lord Ushe said, with n hui
morous leer. that if it had been n question
of %typewriters no doubt Mr.. Twistleton
would have been called as IA specialist to
give evidence and you'd not have been
arguing the case before them. AT which
thoscin the court who knew of Twistleton's
fad Uttered, and his lordship's namesakes
who stand about the court put their hands
before their faces and shook visibly for IA
moment or two, and then called out
"hushi' and looked angry. But Twistle-
ton lost his temper over this, and asked
his lordship II his lordship meant to hint
that the court did not want to near him,
and intimated his intention, II such was
the case, OF sitting down. And then the
whole court was really quite silent for a
minute or two, in anticipation of a row;
and every one ceased to fidget, and paid
close attention to Lord Usher, to hear
him, with his blandest and most urbane
OF smiles, explaining how 1t was the great
privilege Of hat court to listen to Mr..
Twistleton, and that n high value they
set upon that privilege, and how 1t was
quite Uncomfortable to him 0ord Usher
that he Mr.. Twistleton) could imagine
for u moment that this court or any other
court should wish him to sit down.
Whereupun Twistleton murmured that his
lordship was very good, meaning thereby
that he should like to be with his lordship
in II small room where he could give him
a bit of his mind. Then the case proceed
ed quite regularly, until Twistleton hand
al ord ITLlAr a.. LOT .f nnVara Ia AKplatn
his case; and Lord Usher coming TO one,
said, vito n knowing side glance at Smugg,
l.. J., that, from the handwriting, IL must
be n note of Mr.. Twistleton's in another
case, as he did not know that any one of
the name of Charles Colston was "A party
to this case, And what would have hap
pened then | don't know; only the court
rose for lunch.
heard two or three people say that day
that ''Twistleton, poor fellow, was doing
more work than he ought to;'' hat
''Twistleton was II clever fellow, but lie
could not afford to burn the candle ut both
ends Indeed, Twistleton's strange con
due in Buncombe VS.. Badger was the
general topic OF conversation in the robing
room.
When Twistleton came out OF court |
had the greatest difficulty to prevent him
rushing down to Norfolk by the night
train. He was sure 1t was true; he be
lieved in the message. ! Gained him
down and we had dinner together at my
club, He had to continue his speech in
the morning. | tried to coach him in
Buncombe vs.. Badger, but 1t was Of no
avail. | do not think he ever knew for
which side he was appearing.
We agreed that we would sit up in
watches and so keep our eye on the type
Nlrtfar NIL ptpht Thara xNaC ~ snfu in fh.
recess of the window, and Twistlcton sent
me to bed and placed himself on this. |
babe him good night, and took his bed
for the first half OF the night. About 2
O'Clock in the morning | awoke and went
TO Twistlcton. He was wide awake, read
ing some papers on the sofa.
"Have you seen anythingt' | asked.
Nothing whatever, - he replied.
Nor heard anything
mot IL sound
We took the lamp to The typewriter and
opened IT. There was the sheet of paper
Us he always left it, untouched. Twistle-
ton locked it up again and tool the key.
Put It under your pillow"
II will, - he replied, it's very good Of
you to sit up like this
It's nothing at all, | assure you" 1
answered
Keep strict watch, won't YOU
promise you, - | said.
Twistleton shook me by the hnnd with
emotion and went out he looked very i'll
and wretched, | thought, and | was sorry
for him Was 1t u ghosts message, or
whit, that was making his life II burden
to him Should | solve the mystery to
nights
| waited G'snIi an hour cad a hall. The
dawn came peeping through the painted
shutters and made the lamp look dim. |
was almost dozing-in fact, | had shut
my eyes and lost consciousness for perhaps
n minute, perhaps more. a sharp click
ing sound awokc me. 1t was the type
writer. There, seated on n chair in front
of it, playing nimbly ON the queer instru
ment, was n white, misty figure. 1t had
finished. 1t closed the cover down and
turned the key. 1t wheeled around to
the door, aud | saw the face md whiskers
| knew so well; it was Twistleton him
self.
My first impulse was TO wake him, but
| had heard 1t was dangerous to wake per
sons walking in their sleep He wanted
all the sleep he could get, so | decided to
let him alone, to walk down to my own
chambers and get some more rest myself
When | got out into Old square | could
not help roaring with laughter. II was
too funny. The idea of old Twistleton
writing messages to himself on the type
writer and being frightened out Of his wits
by them. What n story to tell against
him. No one would believe tit was too
good to he true.
awoke IA little late the next morning,
but went straight down To Old square be-
fore breakfast. Alas | was too late.
There was Foss in misery over IA hasty
scrawl of Twistleton's. He had gone to
Barndorc by the early train; Foss was TO
make any excuse he though fit TO Writson
x Clame. There was the typewriter
shattered into a thousand pieces, its intri-
cate machinery II shapeless chaos. | shud-
dered to think what would happen If there
was anything between Charley Colston
and Mrs. Twistleton,
In town every one was asking what had
become of Twistlcton, The rumor went
round the law courts that he was insane.
| maintained n discreet silence. Mr. Clame
was almost crying, as Slokoach, murmur
ing something about "bnd news, and his
learned leader, - rose Ia continue Twistle-
tons opening Lord Usher, unrcstraincd
by the presence OF Twistleton. made the
court Of appeal II place OF fiery torment
to that eminent elderly junior, Mr., Slo-
kOach. Bustle, queens counsel for Bad
ger, was not even called pom to reply:
Buncombe and Another were dismissed,
with costs.
The early train stopped, rs | knew, ut
every station-forty in number. | could
imagine poor Twistleton's state OF mind
a. he pottered along in "A slow train to
Ihrndore. He arrived ut the house about
breakfast time-I ave the story from
G+fahlcton, who was there-he came into
~, breakfast room and his appearance
elected a shout Of surprise.
What has become of Buncombe VS.